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Community Corner

Fall Fashion: Time for Moms to Enjoy Color, Light Layers

Stylist suggests looks for work and home

Fashion is self-expression communicated in textures, colors and fabrics. It allows mothers to feel good and experiment, no matter if you manage the boardroom, home, or both. Last Friday, we plunged into the fall season, although football and school activities have been upon us for a few weeks now.

To celebrate the arrival of the season, I’ve already picked up some items, but look forward to more scouring to find pieces that are stylish without looking like I borrowed clothes from my teenaged stepdaughters.

Accord to fashion stylist Erin Bransford of Buckhead now is the time to commit to fall fashion.

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“For me, fall is all about back to school plus it’s like the beginning of the year,” she said. “I pulled out my fall clothes just after Labor Day — it’s time to commit and put away shorts and sandals.”

For transition, Bransford relies on layers. “Light layers work best. If you want to keep the tank, that’s fine, but layer with a wool or lightweight cashmere cardigan over it. Then, if you face warmer temperatures later in the day or if someone spits up on your shoulder or plants sticky fingers on your clothes, you can shed the cardigan.”

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For color, Bransford recommends to go for the gusto. She’s identified shades like purple, cobalt blue, orangey-red flame and claret wine.  For those with a lighter olive complexion, blond or red hair, wildly popular camel tones are for the bottom, not the top. “It makes me look like I’ve been sick for a week,” said Bransford, who has deep auburn locks.

I like answers and Bransford has a few. Her solution to wearing camel, if you must wear it on top, is a scarf.  “If you must wear camel on top, put a scarf between you and the top. Otherwise, it’s best on darker skin tones like Latinos and African-American or women with dark hair."

But, all in all, Brandsford likes to dress with a purpose, no matter if it’s casual or formal. If a hoodie is in the cards, pair it with ballet flats in fuchsia or purple, she suggests. “It’s about one item that makes you look polished.”

When battling the boots, the advice is sage. “Select a boot that comes just below the knee, that ends where your calf muscle tapers back in to the knee. It’s sort of below the bend and about an inch below the kneecap to give a long leg line." And, her choice for boot color is brown, not black.

Some other fall fashion tips from this pro include:

  • Camel or tan shoes. “They are the best investment you can make, along with some black patent shoes,” she said. “Nude shoes go with everything in your closet and elongate leg.”
  • Platform shoes. Bransford advises that you must be comfortable both physically and emotionally, or you simply “can’t rock them.”
  • Minis are out.  “Skirts are longer, and it’s called a ‘midi’ instead of mini."

And, other items that caught the fashionista's eye are high-heeled loafers, leather jackets, knee-length boots and dresses.

Happy shopping mothers! Don’t forget that in the middle of those shopping sprees for the kids, take time out for yourself. Share your tips for super shopping below. 

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